Shemar Campbell, 17, entered his plea in front of Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Gary C. Giguere Jr. and admitted to striking Schau in the head with a tree limb on Sept. 24 near Ada and Burrell streets.

Kalamazoo Public Safety officers found Schau just after 2 p.m. after responding to a report of a man down in the street. Investigators said the assault stemmed from an exchange of words.

Campbell’s plea came one day before he was scheduled to stand trial on one count of open murder.

Martin SchauCourtesy Photo

Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Hemingway said the plea agreement in Campbell’s case calls for the prosecutor’s office not to make a sentencing recommendation as long as Campbell has no prior felonies on his record and complies with bond conditions, Hemingway said.

Giguere denied bond for Campbell following Tuesday’s hearing. Campbell is scheduled to be back in court Feb. 19 for sentencing.